Swimming devices



R. MAGONE 2,802,223

SWIMMING DEVICES Aug. 1.3, 195.7

Filed Aug. 8, 1952 2 Sheets-Shea?. 1

TToRNEY Augl3, 1957 R. MAGONE 2,802,223

SWIMMING DEVICES Filed Aug. 8, 1952 2 Sheets-5h66?l 2 FIG. 4

Fla. 5

I ROSCOE MAGONE ATTORNEY.

United States arent O SWIMMING DEVICES Roscoe Magone, Portland, Oreg.

Application August 8, 1952, Serial No. 303,291

8 Claims. (Cl. 9-21) My device relates to mechanical means to aid and increase the eiciency of swimming.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means by which one can increase -his speed in swimming. Another object is to provide a swimming aid device which will leave the swimmer free to use his hands and which would enable a swimmer with arms but without one or both hands to still use the -swimming device.

Still another object of my invention is to increase the ease with which one may swim.

Referring to the drawings:

.-Fig. 1 is a top View of my swimming device showing the stock lever members, the adjustment and attachment strap and bands, the control levers, the streamlining block and the iin element members. In this figure the right side n element member is shown with the covering material and streamlining block removed while the left side fin element member is shown with the covering and streamlining block in position. The heavy arrows at the top of the figure and the dashed lines at the bottom of the ligure indicate the directions of movement of the control levers and fin elements.

Fig. 2 is a detailsectional View taken in the direction ofthe arrows along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the right side of the device attaching strap and bands not being shown.

Fig. 4 is a back View of a man with the swimming device in place for use.

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a typical iin element member, without the streamlining block, with part of the journal block broken away. The dotted lines in this view indicate the approximate attitude the iin element assumes on the downward stroke of the device; the dashed lines indicate the approximate attitude that the fin element assumes on the upward -stroke of the device.

Referring further to the drawings: y The ladjustment strap 10 is provided with a buckle 11 which enables the individual user to adapt the device to his own' size. The stock lever members 12 are attached to the strap 4at or near their forward edges of their ends 13. The stock lever members 12 are also provided with` padded and covered portions 14 on their ends 13 which t the armpits of the user. The lever members 12 have upper arm bands 15 secured thereto by means of` rivets which bands 15 in turn are equipped with quick releasing and adjustable hook snap type fasteners 16. There is a hole 17 positioned near the youter forward4 edge of the members 12, as best shown in Figure l, `into which is inserted a pin, bolt or other suitable pivotal means 18. The pins, bolts or other suitable pivotal means 18 provide pivotal'attachment for the journal blocks 19 ofthe fin element members 20 `and pivotally attach the journal block 19 of the iin element members 20 to the under surfaces of the stock lever members 12 in such a manner that the fin element members 20 may only be moved in a plane parallel to that of the stock lever membersvlZ..

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Control lever 21 is provided with an attachment band 22, at its forward end, for receiving the forearm and extends forwardly from the rounded end 23 of each journal block 19. A curved, tapered, semi-rigid rib 24 flexible at the `outer end projects rearwardly from the opposite end 25 of the journal block 19, rib 24 forming the leading edge of the iin element member 20. A curved, tapered, flexible rib 26 forms the trailing edge of the fin element member 20.

Between the ribs 24 and 26 a number of flexible ribs 29a, 29b and 29C are equally spaced with the exception of the rib 29a which is immediately behind the rib 24 and which contacts said rib 24 part of its length. The ribs 24, 26, 29a, 29h and 29e are constructed from ber glass material but could be constructed from any other strong yand flexible material. The base ends of ,all the rib elements are set into the end 25 of the journal block 19 along a line approximately at the middle of the depth of said block 19.

A streamlining block 27 is positioned on the upper surface of the leading edge of the iin element member 20 and extends from the rear end 25 of the journal block 19 to a point approximately 1A of the length of the n element from the base of said fin element 20.

The fin element members are covered on both sides with tough linen fabric 28. These iin elements may be made of sheet plastic, rubber or other flexible material and the element will perform satisfactorily if covered only on the upper surface.

The covering material 2S is secured to the ribs of the fin element 20 by stitching. No specific method of attachment is shown in the drawings and any knownV equivalent to stitching or any other suitable means may be used.

The user of the swimming device adjusts the strap 10 by means of the buckle 11 so that the padded portions 14 of the ends 13 of the stock lever members 12 snugly tthe armpits with the strap 10 coming up over the shoulders and across the back of the neck. The upper arms are secured to the stock lever members 12 by means of attachment bands 15 and quick releasing hook snap type fasteners 16. The fasteners 16 are provided with a ladder effect adjustment means so that the user can adapt the bands 15 to his individual needs.

The elbow joints of the user are disposed approximately over the pin or other suitable pivotal means 18 thus allowing control of the iin element members 20 by means of the control levers 21 without undue restriction of the arm motion. The control levers 21 are secured to the forearms of the user by means of adjustable bands 22 and quick releasing adjustable hook snap type fasteners 16, being adapted to the individual users requirements in the same manner as the bands 15 are adjusted to the upper arms. this arrangement securely fastens the swimming device tothe user in such a manner that his hands always remaining free and so that it may be quickly discarded, if necessary.

When the device is adjusted and in place on the user as described above the user simply moves his fore arms in the plane of the device to the right or left so as to obtain the desired location of the n element members 20 with respect to his body and the direction of his intended travel always keeping each forearm at an acute angle to its respective upper arm, as shown in Fig. 4, or at an angle of not more than approximately from its upper arm so that the iin element members 20 clear the body, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 4. The user then brings his forearms and elbows downwardly and inwardly under himself and then upwardly and outwardly to an approximately horizontal position with reference to the surface ofthe water in a smooth, and continuous, dipping and As will be seen from the drawings rolling motion. The continuation of these movements causes each fin element member 20 to form a three-dimensional modiiied corkscrew-like pattern, the patterns of right and left fin element members 20 being reversed to each other with respect to their rotational movement. The structure of the fin element members 2t) is unbalanced with respect to movement about the horizontal pivotal axis by reason of the ribs 24, 26, 29a, 29h and 29,0 radiating, curving rearwardly and fanning out from a contiguous position with respect to each other and from the relatively narrow spans at the ends of the journal blocks 19 to comparatively wide spans at their outer tips. The said fin element members 20 are unbalanced to the rear of their leading edges formed by the ribs 24 and are flexibly oscillated alternately up and down relative to the journal block end portions of said leadinry edge ribs 24 in coordination with the rotation and movement of the arms to which the particular unit is secured. The fin element members 20, being unbalanced rearwardly of their leading edges, tend in both the upward and downward strokes to assume an angle which will take them along the path of least resistance through the water. It is by resisting or retarding this tendency of the fin element members 20 by the control levers 21 attached to the ends of the journal blocks 19 opposite said fin element members 20 that the user obtains and regulates the impelling force imparted by the fin element members. By continuing this operational cycle the swimmer or user is enabled to travel through the water rapidly and with comparatively little effort. On the downward stroke the fin element members, due to their flexibility, bend upward at their rear or trailing edge portion and outer or tip ends so that the left iin element in effect forms a left hand propeller and the right fin element forms a right hand propeller. On the upward stroke the left fin element forms a right hand propeller and the right fin element forms a left hand propeller. The propeller effect is accomplished by the force of the water being exerted against the flexible trailing or rear portions and tip ends of the n members, first on the lower and then on the upper surfaces thereof. By the movements of bringing the forearms and elbows downwardly and inwardly under the user and then upwardly and outwardly to an approximately horizontal position with reference yto the surface of the water a continuous propeller action is obtained on each iin element which propells the swimmer forward through the water at all times without any lost motion or break in the forward propelling reaction on the swimmer. On the downward stroke the reaction of the water against the flexible fin element members forces the swimmer forward, the water sliding from the under surfaces of the upward tilted trailing edges and tips or ends. On the upward stroke back to the horizontal position the water slides off the upper surfaces of the downward tilted trailing edges and tip or outer ends of the device and continues to force the swimmer ahead.

Either side of the device may be used -alone if the user so desires. This is accomplished by means of an adapter strap, not shown in the drawings, being vfastened to the strap 1G on the side of the device which the user desires to employ. The adapter strap would form a loop `around the shoulder and armpit opposite to the side on which the device would be employed. The strap 10 would then come up over the shoulder from the end 13 of the side of the device in use, cross the back of the neck and fasten onto the looped adapter strap.

Every individual user will have a slightly different style but will soon find the one which is most efficient for him in the use of my swimming device.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A swimming device consisting of two stock lever members attachable to the upper arms of the user; a connecting strap between the said stock lever members securing the inner ends of the stock lever members under the arm pits of the user; a journal block pivotly connectcd to each stock lever member near its outer end; a

control lever, rigidly connected with each journal block forward of its pivotal connection; `an adjustable forearm attachment band attached to each control lever; an unbalanced iiexible fin element attached to each journal block flexibly movable and oscillatory relative to the journal block end portion of the leading edge of said fin.

2. A swimming device consisting of a right and left unbalanced flexible n element oscillatorily and flexibly movable; a control lever at the forward end of each fin element; a stream lining block on the leading edge of each fin element; a stock lever member pivotally attached to each fin element member; an adjustment strap connecting the stock lever members together and securely under the `arm pits of the user; an adjustable forearm attachment band attached to each control lever; and an adjustable upper arm attaching band member attached to each stock lever member.

3. In exible fin propelling means for a swimming device: -a semi-rigid rib element forming a leading edge axis; a plurality of flexible rib elements; pliable material attached to and webbing all rib elements together; a streamlining block; a journal block into which 'all ribs are set; a control lever, attached to the forward end of the journal block; and, an adjustable attachment band for securing the control lever to the forearm of a swimmer.

4. in a swimming device consisting of two independent stock lever members, fitting under the arm pits and attached to the upper arms of the user: an adjustment strap connecting the arm pit ends of said stock lever members to each other; a journal block pivotally connected at the outer end of each of said stock lever members; a control lever, rigidly connected with the forward end of each journal block; and, an unstable flexible fin element, exibly movable and oscillatory relative to the journal block end portion of the leading edge of said fin, fixed to and radiating from the end of each of said journal blocks opposite the said control lever.

5. In a swimming aid device: a right and left unbalanced fin element, fanning out from a point slightly below the elbow of each arm of the user in a direction substantially in line with the forearm `and away from the hand, each n element being oscillatorily and flexibly movable; stock lever members attached to the upper arms of the user; pivotal connection between each fin element and a stock lever member; at a point approximately under the elbow joint of the user; and, a strap element passing over the shoulders and back of the `neck of the user, attached to and holding the stock lever members in position under the arm pits of the user.

6. In a swimming aid device, consisting of right and left unbalanced, exible fin elements, oscillatorily and flexibly movable; stock lever members, whose inner ends fit under the arm pits of the user; a journal block pivotally attached to the outer end of each stock lever member; a control lever fixed at the forward end of each of said unbalanced iin elements; a stream lining block attached to the leading edge of the base end of each of Said unbalanced iin elements, said iin elements consisting of a combination of a plurality of one semi-rigid and several flexible, tapered ribs radiating from a narrow span at the base end to a comparatively wide span at the outer end flexibly movable vand oscillatory relative to the base end of the semi-rigid rib of said fin; a flexible covering over and fixed to said plurality of ribs; an adjustable attach ing strap fastening the arm pit ends of said stock lever members to each other; adjustable attaching means securing the forearms of the user to the outer ends of said control levers; and additional adjustable attaching means securing the upper-arms of the user to the stock lever members.

7. In a swimming device: stock lever members ,attachable to `a users upper arms; an adjustment strap connecting the inner ends of the stock lever members; a journal block pivotally attached to the outer end of each stock lever member, said journal block being movable in a plane parallel to that of the stock lever member; 4a control lever on the journal block extending forwardly therefrom; a forearm attachment strap secured to each control lever at the end opposite the journal block; an unbalanced n element extending from Ithe end of each journal block opposite said control lever member and curving rearwardly with relation to the journal block and stock lever member, said n element 'being flexibly movable and oscillatory relative to said journal block end portion of its le-ading edge and maneuverable in coordination with the movements of the upper arm to which said stock lever member may be secured; and a streamlined block positioned on top `of each iin element at the base of the journal block, conforming to and complementing the curvature of the leading edge of said n element member.

8. In a swimming device: a stock lever member; a pivotal means near the outer end of said stock lever member; a journal block mounted upon and rotatable around said pivotal means; a control lever member projecting forwardly from the journal block, providing the means for rotating the journal block about said pivotal means in the plane of said stock lever member; an unbalanced in element `composed of a plurality of curved, tapered ribs projecting youtwardly from the end of said journal block in close proximity to each other, said plu- References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 18,809 Gibson Dec. 8, 1857 661,595 Bartholomew Nov. 13, 1900 849,971 Brandl Apr. 9, 1907 991,331 Lawrence May 2, 1911 1,324,722 Bergin Dec. 9, 1919 1,839,489 Meroussis Ian. 5, 1932 2,006,915 Ferber July 2, 1935 2,423,571 Wilen July 8, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,996 Great Britain 1816 417,889 France Nov. 24, 1910 551,168 Great Britain Feb. 10, 1943 

